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Landscaping maintenance is essential for upkeeping the appearance of your landscape design. But did you also know that landscaping maintenance provides immense, long-term financial and health benefits? Pruning in particular is an important element of landscaping preservation and requires a few tactics to be done correctly.

Why is landscaping maintenance important?

The benefits of landscaping maintenance far surpass pretty scenery. If you decide to put the investment into landscaping itself, it’s extremely worth it to maintain its upkeep. 

A few of the additional benefits include:

• Increasing your home’s value
• Prospective buyers will find the property more attractive
• If for sale, lessens the time the property is available on the market
• Heating and cooling costs are decreased
• Provides cleaner air and filters pollutants
• Encourages an active lifestyle for your family
• Decreases stress levels by access to nature and beautiful scenery
• Gives privacy

The process of landscaping maintenance includes elements such as lawn care, garden maintenance, fertilization, seasonal clean-ups and pruning.  

What is pruning?

Pruning involves the process of selectively cutting off sections of trees, flowers and other plants to improve the overall health and appearance of the plant. When done in combination with landscaping, pruning directs the growth of plants so that the aesthetics from the original landscaping are preserved. 

For trees in particular, it can also save from issues related to damages from broken branches. It’s especially important to maintain tree growth to avoid them coming on your roof or getting entangled in power lines. 

What are the different types of pruning?

There are four major types of pruning that should be incorporated into landscaping maintenance. All of them have a specific purpose and should be done on a seasonal basis according to each plant’s life cycle.

Thinning

Thinning involves getting rid of extra limbs and stems in a healthy manner so that the plant is reduced down to its original size. For example, this can be done to let more light in through a tree canopy or on plants located on a decorative fence or lattice.

Cleaning

Cleaning is the fine-tuning of plants by cutting out dead, diseased or damaged plant parts so that their appearance is much more cleaned out. Think of it a bit like a hair cut: plants also look refreshed in the same manner as when a hairdresser removes split ends.

Reduction

Reduction means cutting the tree or plant back to reduce its height or width. Not only does this keep the design looking sharp, but it can also stop plants from taking over another area and trees falling into areas they don’t belong.

Structural pruning

Structural pruning uses a combination of the above methods to result in a plant’s best overall health and appearance.

When to prune

The best time to prune in the US is typically towards the end of winter and early spring when plants are experiencing current growth. You can also use this time to relocate plants if necessary. Keep track of plant life cycles in order to understand when the appropriate time is.

Tips for pruning and other landscaping maintenance

Although pruning is an essential element of landscape maintenance, pruning does take specific strategies to know how to do it correctly. In addition to pruning at the appropriate time of year, it’s important not to prune too much and end up destroying the plant. Here are a few tips for getting started.

Pruning a tree

Experts suggest not to remove more than 30% of a tree’s live foliage at one time, otherwise there is risk of killing the tree. The majority of tree pruning involves making changes to the crown, otherwise known as the main leaves and branches located at the top. Depending on the purpose, the crown can be lifted, thinned or reduced. To ensure that your tree pruning produces the best possible result:

• Don’t prune elements at the top of the crown and focus on the bottom. 
• Avoid removing all branches and leaves from larger stems because this can affect the tree’s ability to stand up against the wind.
• Remove branches that are small in diameter but only at a level that doesn’t disturb the tree’s overall structure.
• Aim for pruning with a consistent line of branches to match the tree’s natural shape to maintain balance.     

Pruning flowers

Flowers have a wide range of differences when it comes to blooming. So, this always needs to be taken into account when doing pruning. For both fruit bearing and flowering plants some tips to achieve the best end result include:

• Removing old buds directly after flowering so that new buds have a better chance of developing.
• For fruit bearing plants, take off gray and slow-growing shoots which have no chance of developing into fruit.
• Lessening disease pressure and stress by using general pruning methods.
• For roses in particular, opening the plant’s center increases the penetration of air and sunlight so that they are healthier.

Pruning shrubs

Pruning shrubs is one of the easier elements of pruning and typically involves thinning and allowing the plant to rejuvenate. Some suggestions for pruning shrubs include:

• Reducing twigs to the parent stem or ground level to encourage side branch growth.
• Using hand pruning shears to remove the oldest  and tallest stems in order to maintain a specific height and symmetrical shape.
• Encouraging shrub rejuvenation by cutting off about one-third of the older and taller branches at ground level in advance of new growth.

Make note of your plant’s life cycles

A key part of pruning is knowing when to do it. Different plants may have extremely different life cycles, so it’s important to keep a list for what needs to be pruned and when. This can be used as a timeline and to-do list so you can plan the scope of your landscaping maintenance, including your budget. Good landscape designs in general try to minimize landscape maintenance while maximizing a beautiful appearance. When in doubt, call the experts for guidance.

Moscarino: landscaping maintenance services in Ohio

For large scale and commercial landscape designs, landscaping maintenance can prove to be a hefty load. Moscarino provides comprehensive landscaping maintenance services in Northeast Ohio and Cleveland, including fertilization, pruning, garden maintenance and much more.

Searching for a way to add a bit more privacy to your backyard? Hardscaping landscaping involves the use of material structures that does just that. No matter whether it’s fencing, trees or stone walls, hardscaping can be combined with living elements to create a backyard that is both comfortable to use and beautiful to view.

What is hardscaping?

Hardscaping is the process of adding any non-living decorative or material structure to a landscape design. It includes elements such as:

• Stone retaining walls
• Concrete, brick and flagstone patios
• Stone walkways and gravel paths
• Stone landscape steps
• Metal fences
• Wooden fences
• Wooden decks
• Fire pits
• Wooden arbors or gazebos
• Pergolas
• Fountains
• Lighting
• Ponds
• Outdoor kitchens and bars

What is the difference between hardscaping and landscaping?

The intention of hardscaping is to define spacing and add centralized organization to landscape designs. It sections off certain elements for use (a patio) and non-use (a fountain), as well as leads visitors in the correct direction through the landscaping structure (pathways). Hardscaping is also a great way to provide privacy to living areas like backyards. 

The other element of landscaping is known as softscaping. Softscaping includes all the living elements of landscape design such as trees, flowers and plants. The combination of both falls under the umbrella of landscaping.

Hardscaping landscaping for backyard privacy

Hardscaping is a fantastic way to add add privacy to spaces that would otherwise be more public. Backyards are where families often spend a lot of time, and it’s not so nice if you have neighbors or passersby peering in all the time. Hardscaping uses structural designs that enhance privacy in your own spaces so that can relax and be yourself.

A lattice as a privacy screen

A lattice is a fence-like structure that uses a criss-cross design of wood or other materials. It can be combined with a plant such as ivy to both soften the look of the hardscape, but also increase the level of privacy. A lattice can provide an interesting texture to the total landscape design and also lets in bits of light to brighten the surroundings. 

Stone or brick walls

Other types of retaining walls can have an even more definitive effect on privacy because they completely block out light as well as have a noise cancelling effect. A low maintenance form of hardscaping, retaining walls help reduce erosion and keep softscape elements in place. Higher retaining walls lock in privacy and can be stylishly designed with patterns and softscape elements to create the ideal blend.

Combine a pergola with softscape elements

A pergola is a bit similar to a gazebo, but has a much more “unfinished” look. It’s a minimalistic structure that uses four beams to hold up a lattice roof. They can be both raised and located at ground-level, creating living area spaces for dining and sitting.

Pergolas too offer a design and privacy element. Softscape elements can be placed on the pergola itself, or in the surrounding area. Layering additional softscape elements adds to the privacy effect. Mixing a variety of privacy plants, shrubs and trees results in an elegant and secluded setting.

Use trees to your advantage 

If trees already exist in your backyard, you can utilize this to your advantage because trees are nature’s privacy screens. You can section off an area with a tree and create a nook underneath them with a pergola. Depending on the location, you can add a fence with softscape decorative elements or shrubs that cover the surrounding area. Section off the area through additional hardscape elements like adding a patio for seating and a walkway to get there.

Construct plants to act as a privacy fence

If you’re looking to keep your design more natural, you can use medium or tall plants to give an area more privacy. Mix up the coloring and texture of the area with different plant types in clusters. These can also be backed by trees or larger shrubs to multiply the privacy effect. An additional seating area like a patio now becomes much more discreet.

Bamboo fencing  

Bamboo is a fantastic material to use for fencing because it’s sturdy and grows quickly. Similarly to a lattice, bamboo lets in slight lighting elements, but also acts as a privacy screen. Additional softscape laying of plants and shrubs thicken the fencing while also giving your backyard a true feeling of “zen”.

Fountains or water elements block out noise 

Privacy also includes a noise factor. You can keep external noise out, as well as keep your communication more private through water elements. Fountains are a fantastic way to do this because the noise of the water cancels out other noises. Combine water elements, a patio and softscape elements to create a truly enriching backyard scene.

Hardscaping for small backyards

Hardscaping is not limited to large spaces. It’s still possible in small backyards to increase privacy as well as achieve a better design ambiance. The key is to include vertical space in your design thinking. Use softscape elements like trees, tall shrubs and hanging planters from walls or fences. A combination of hanging planters, a raised area like a pedestal and hanging gardens can draw attention upward and enlarge the area. Pavement can also use a curved structure to give the give the illusion that there’s even more space.

How much does hardscaping cost?

There is no one price for hardscaping landscaping because the projects vary widely in capacity. Each project comes with its own rate depending on elements such as: the type of services the landscaping contractor provides, how often they will do these services, as well as quality. Low pricing is not necessarily a bargain deal to jump on, because you can end up with bad results. It’s highly recommended to choose more experienced landscaping service providers to ensure the best possible results. 

Moscarino: an experienced hardscaping contractor in Ohio

Quality is of the utmost importance to Moscarino, a highly experienced landscaping contractor providing services throughout Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. As a hardscaping expert, Moscarino provides comprehensive hardscaping services that seamlessly blends natural and structural elements. This includes beginning with 2D and 3D computer designs that help create a budget and timeline that works for you, as well as installing all hardscaping structures for immediate use after project completion. 

For most people, simple law maintenance is not a fun task. While you may have green fingers when it comes to planting new things and watching them grow – maintenance is a whole different ballgame.

What are the things you need to do maintain a healthy garden?

Mowing your lawn is of course essential, and often also the most dreaded part of looking after your garden. But not only does it make your garden look better, it also helps avoid any future, bigger jobs, and it keeps your garden healthy and free of damaging insects.

Mowing your lawn is not needed as often in the cold months, but it is none the less an important part of your overall garden.

Watering Your Garden
Generally, you’ll be able to tell whether or not you will need to water your garden. With plenty of rainfall happening on a regular basis, it won’t be needed. However, if you do get a few days of scorching heat and no rain, it is better to get to watering your garden sooner rather than later.
As a general rule, your lawn needs at least 1”-1 ½” of water per week, year-round.

Making Time for Looking After Your Garden
Looking after your garden or lawn doesn’t have to be a big and time-consuming task. All you will need is a couple of hours of work each weekend, and you should be good to go!

If you have kids, consider making them part of it by helping them hold the hose or raking the lawn with you. Kids love to be outside, and it is a super easy way of getting together outside as a family. Explain to them that in order to see improvements when growing new and exciting trees and plants, the lawn needs to be looked after as well! It needs to stay healthy.

Do you have questions about your landscaping contract? Or are you looking for a good landscaping company in Cleveland? If so, you can reach us by phone at 440-236-9000 or via the contact form on our website. We’re also available to answer any questions that you may have!